quick suspension question
quick suspension question I upgraded from some UMI tubular LCAs to midwest chassis double rod-ended adjustable LCAs. When I took the old ones off they were attached with 7/16''x4'' bolts, so I bought some brand new grade 8 hardware of the same size to put the new stuff on with.
Problem is that the MWC stuff now clunks quite a bit because for some reason the new bolts (of the same size as before) just don't quite fill in the holes in the suspension bushings as well as it did the old stuff. Everything is nice and tight there is just a little bit of play in the spot where the LCAs attach. Do I have the wrong size hardware? Is it supposed to be 1/2'' instead of 7/16'', or do I just have to live with a little clunking?
Also I can never seem to get the adjustment nuts to stay in place on the rod ends. Even if the adjustment nuts are butted right up against the LCA tube I can still turn the tube by hand, it'll just work the nuts backwards slowly. Is this normal? Do I need to actually buy a big *** wrench to torque those adjustment nuts down or something? (If so anybody know what size it is off hand?)
Problem is that the MWC stuff now clunks quite a bit because for some reason the new bolts (of the same size as before) just don't quite fill in the holes in the suspension bushings as well as it did the old stuff. Everything is nice and tight there is just a little bit of play in the spot where the LCAs attach. Do I have the wrong size hardware? Is it supposed to be 1/2'' instead of 7/16'', or do I just have to live with a little clunking?
Also I can never seem to get the adjustment nuts to stay in place on the rod ends. Even if the adjustment nuts are butted right up against the LCA tube I can still turn the tube by hand, it'll just work the nuts backwards slowly. Is this normal? Do I need to actually buy a big *** wrench to torque those adjustment nuts down or something? (If so anybody know what size it is off hand?)
So is the Rod end hole bigger than the mount? And require a bigger bolt? or more space inside mount? as for the wrench needed. Dont know the hardware size. Maybe 2 cresents-I hate saying that. but it will work till you get the correct wrenches.
The size difference isn't something that is noticeable just by looking at it, but when I stick the bolt through the new bushings there is just a small bit of play in it unlike the old ones.
Try a metric size. Or apply a coat of dry film if it isnt that much. I have used thick washers to make up the difference before-but that was for side to side movement. I havnt seen midwest LCAs or their hardware but will look it up to better understand your delima. Was thinking something like what Spohn uses to help center rod end and help keep it from excessive movement on hardware.
Also I can never seem to get the adjustment nuts to stay in place on the rod ends. Even if the adjustment nuts are butted right up against the LCA tube I can still turn the tube by hand, it'll just work the nuts backwards slowly. Is this normal? Do I need to actually buy a big *** wrench to torque those adjustment nuts down or something? (If so anybody know what size it is off hand?)
I would suggest tightening them up with 2 creasant wrenches or a 1 1/8 box wrench. And we also use M12 X 100mm bolts. As long as they are tighten to 90Ft Lbs there shouldn't be any noise issues. If you have any other questions feel free to ask.
Thanks
Brad
Thanks for the info everyone! I'm going to swap out the 7/16'' bolts for slightly larger metric sized ones and make sure I wrench down the adjustment nuts good and tight and I'll report back.
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actually the best thing to do is use 1/2 inch bolts at the front and rear, which is a strength upgrade as well. the stock size bolts are 12mm(.472"). your 7/16(.437") bolts you installed are equal to 11.01mm and are loose in the holes, causing the issue at hand. most of the stock holes in the chassis and rearend are slightly larger than 12mm and usually worn a bit, so 1/2"(.500) bolts are the way to go. this will tighten everything up and make it stronger at the same time. you may need to do a slight amount of file clearancing on the bracket holes to get it to go, but it usually doesn't take too much. our bushings are a .500 hole for this purpose.
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